Variation detection



Aug. 14, 1951 R. M. BRINK VARIATION DETECTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 29, 1948 INVENTOR ROBERT M. BRINK Aug. 14, 1951 R. M. BRINK VARIATIONDETECTION 3 Sheets Sheet 2 Filed April 29, 1948 Aug. 14, 1951 R. M. BRINK VARIATION DETECTION 7 Filed April 29, 1948 $5 Sheets$heet 3 INVENTOR ROBERT M. BR! NH Patented Aug. 14, 1951 VARIATION DETECTION Robert M. Brink, Pelham, N. Y., assignor to Deering Milliken Research Trust, New York, N. Y., a nonprofit trust of New York Application April 29, 1948, Serial No. 24,077

Claims.

The present invention relates primarily to the textile art and more particularly to the manufacture of textile filamentary material and comprises a novel method of, and means for, detecting and signalizing variations in diameter of yarn or of other textile filamentary material. The invention is particularly suitable for use in the detection and elimination of sections of yarn of excessive diameter, known in the art-as slubs. It may be advantageously employed, however, for other purposes, as, for example, for the detection and recording of diametral variations of filamentary material or for actuation of control devices for regulation of yarn diameter during spinning.

The diameter-sensitive device of the invention,

irrespective of its particular application, is adapted to deflect the path of travel of filamentary material in accordance with variations in its diameter. In preferred embodiments of the invention, this deflection is accomplished by passing the yarn or other filamentary material through a tapered slit disposed at an angle acute to the normal path of travel of the material with the narrow end of the slit nearer the source of the material. The inner surfaces of the slitthereby provide a component of force tending to deflect the filamentary material toward the wide end of the slit whenthe diameter of the material increases.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention meter and recorder.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figs. 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating the principle of operation of a slub catcher embodying the invention and showing alternative types of yarn holding or cutting means;

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the invention as embodied in a slub catcher equipped with a stop motion feeler for an associated winding mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a slub catcher embodying the invention and representing a preferred embodiment thereof;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the slub catcher of Fig. 4, as viewed from the left of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view on an enlarged scale, of the deflecting member of the device of Figs. 4 and 5; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 11 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view on an enlarged scale of a modified construction of holding member suitable for use in the device of Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the holding member of Fig. 8, the view being taken from the left of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a combined deflecting and holding member suitable fOr use in a slub catcher of the general type Of Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a slub catcher representing another embodiment of the invention; and V Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of a yarn diameter meter and recorder embodying the invention.

The new slub catcher of the invention and its principle of operation will first be described with reference to the diagrams of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 1 shows the essential elements of the slub catchers'of Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 11. These elements comprise yarn deflecting means, indicated at A,

. and yarn holding means, indicated at B. These elements, A and B, are located relatively close together along the path of travel of the yarn 2;

the yarn being drawn under tension in the di' rection of the arrow by any suitable means (not shown).

The deflecting means A comprises a pair of fixed, substantially non-resilient elements 4 and 6 which are so spaced as to provide a tapered opening or slit 8 therebetween. The yarn 2 travels through the slit 8 between the elements 4 and 6,

and these elements are positioned, as shown in Fig. l, at an angle acute to the normal path of the yarn with the narrow end of the slit 8 nearer the source of the yarn and the wide end of the slit nearer the holding means B, The holding means comprises a member In having a wedge shaped slot l2 therein which is spaced to one side of the normal path of travel of the yarn. The slot l2 tapers from a relatively wide mouth at the edge Illa of the member Ill to a width less than the diameter of the yarn with which the device is to be used. The member ID is positioned with its edge Illa transverse to the normal yarn path and adjacent thereto so that the yarn engages and rides over the edge Illa, the edge Illa being rounded to avoid roughening of the yarn in its passage thereover. The edge Illa and the edge 4a of element 4 forming one side of the tathe wider pered slit 8 are in substantially the same plane. The member H3 is preferably inclined at a small angle to this plane to present the edge Mia. to the advancing yarn and to cause the slot I2 to taper in the general direction of yarn travel.

It will be understood that the yarn Z, in its travel to and from the above described elements, will pass through suitable guide or tensioning means which determine the normalpath of'trav'el of the yarn. Such means are diagrammatically indicated in Fig. l as conventional yarn guides l4 and [6. To insure continuous contact .of the yarn with edge Illa oi the holding means, .the guide it is preferably positionedZto deflect the yarn slightly from the plane containing the edges Ma and 4a, the direction of this deflection oi the yarn path being, as viewed inFig. 1, toward a point beneath the plane of the paper.

In the use of the device diagrammatically illustra t e d in Fig. 1, the spacing between the elements 4 an'd't is ilrst'fadj usteld witlri'efe rence to'the average diameter of the yarn to be handled and with reference to the diameter of slub to be detected 'lhenarrowportion of theslit 8 in which tl'ieno'rmal yarn pathshould have a width sub stantially equal to the diameter of the minimum s l u b to 'be' cau'ght. Any s'uitable means, as for example those -hereinafter described in connection with Figs 6; 7,10 and 11 may be employed {for so adj iisti n g'the width andtaper of the slit 8.

The manner" in which slubs are detected and caughtby a device having the elements diagram matically illustrated' -at' A and B in Fig. 1 will nowbedescribedi' "The yarn 2 riormally travels,

as Shown in solid lines, through a relatively'marrow part of the slit Band over the edge liia at "a *location-relatively remote from the slot t2.

When the diameter' of the yarn exceeds'the width o thef slit *8 Eatthenormal point of travel, the angular disposition of the elements l andfi with 'iefe'rence'to'the' yarnspath provides a.compc rcetemung to deflect the toward part of the slit-8. The greater the increase in diarn'eter'of the yarn, the greater will be -tlie "deflection of the yarn path. When rient o1" "the diameter of the yarn increases 'sufliciently to deflect the path of the yarn to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig.'1,' theyarn'iides into the slot '12, and is jammed and held thereiii/With consequent breakage at that=poiht of ning the slit 8, undue rough'ening' of the yarn surface is avoided.

Fig. Z ilIustrates,diagrammatically, a type of yarn holding or 'cuttin'gimeans thatcouldbe substituted for the type :ofholding' means diagram- -rnatic'ally' shown in Fi 1.

-InFig.- 2 the yarn, after leaving thedeflecting member, passes between 'aifixed stop [8 .anda hammer ZIJ'.

The hammer'QO is" biased by a spring 22 toward. engagement with the stop I18 but is "normallyheldin retracted. position by;,a detent id engaging 'a' finger 126 on the hammer. .Detent 124 is 'carriedon one end of. a pivoted lever-28, the other end' of-sw-hioh is positioned beneath-the :normal'path of the yarn 2. =When the yarn ;is deflected by aslubpassing through the deflecting means, the yarn slides off the end of lever :stop motion feeler for a spooling mechanism. In

this embodiment of the invention the member IE3 is carried or made integral with, one arm of a bifurcated member 32, the other arm I of which serves as a feeler to detect breakage of ya n. ,Member v32 is mounted on a rod 35 which,

when rotated about its effects stoppage of the winding mechanism in a manner known in the art. The yarn 2, passing under the feelor arm"34, opposes the tension of a coiled spring 35 tending to rotate the rod 35 in a direction to stop thespooling inechanism. The spooler and control mechanismthereof associated with the rod 35 have not been illustrated in the drawing as 'tliey are conventional parts of a machine now in wide commercial use and well known in the art. Feeler" arm '34, which engages the yarn '2 intermediate its passage over spaced rods '38, conveniently serves, with the rods 38, as a tension device as well as a stop motion feeler arm. The-deflecting-member, of which but one edge of element 6 is Visible in the drawing, is positioned "in advance of the'holding means I?) and at'an angle-to'the yarn path as heretoi described in connection with-Fig. l, the wi end or the tapered slit beingnearer the holding means. The member I0, also as described in connection with Fig. 1, is so oriented as to insure that the yarn will ride upin the slot 52 when a slub in the yarn causes thedeflecting means to deflect the yarn path. Suitable flxedguidemeans for the yarn 2are indicated at 39 and te.

The :abovedescribed device is readily threaded when the arrns 30 and 34 are swung out of yarn engaging position by rotatioh'of the rod 35. In

Fig. '3 an operating arm 4| is'indicated for manually rotating the rod '35. In an automatic spooler su'cli'rotation of the rod 35 is efiected automatically during knotting of ends. Preferably, 'the'surface of the deflecting'members is shaped to facilitate entrance of the yarn into the narrow end of the slit 8 during the threading operation, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art. 7

The operation of the slub catcher of Fig. 3 will be clear from the description given in connection with-Fig. 1. As the diameter of the yarn varies, itspath through the tapered slit of the deflecting means will vary. When the diameter of the yarnis large enough to deflect the yarn into the'slot I2, the yarn is held thereby and breaks. Breakage of the yarn removes the restraint on the jfeeler acting in opposition to the spring 36 and thus permits rotation of rod 35 in a direction o st the -1 f y n y t spooler;

' Figs. 4 and 5, to which reference may now be ha'ct'illustrate a slub catcher embodying theele- .ments of .Fig. 1 and constructed to provide ease of threading and automatic clearance of fly or lint.}from the holding means.

The device of Figs. 4 and 5includes a base plate or. frame.42 .upon which the various parts of the device are mounted. ,A bracket, secured to the frame it, provides means for mounting the device on a spooler or other'inechanisfn with which the device is to be used. The frame 42 is substantially rectangular in shape but is cut away medially at the yarn receiving end as shown in Fig. 4. A plate 44, which is mounted on the frame 42 adjacent the yarn receiving end, has an arcuate recess 45 therein for passage of yarn therethrough and a rounded surface 45 for guiding the yarn into the recess 45 during threading of the device. A pair of upright members 46 and 48, having cooperating contours, are mounted on the yarn delivery end of the frame 42 to provide a guide for yarn at exit from the device. A tension device, comprising conventional bell washers 59, urged into engagement by a spring 52, is mounted on a bracket 54 carried by the frame 42.

The washers 58 of the tension device are suitably oriented, as shown, in the path of flow of the yarn from the guide passage 45 to the guide means 46 and 48. The deflecting means comprises, as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the elements 4 and 6 defining the tapered slit 8. These elements 4 and 6 are carried in a casing 56 which permits of adjustment of the width and taper of the slit as hereinafter described in connection with Figs. 6 and 7. The casing 56 is mounted at an angle to the base plate 42 by means of a V -shaped bracket 58, one leg of which is secured flush with the plate and the other leg of which provides an inclined support for the casing. The casing is so orientated on the leg of the bracket 58 that the medial line of the slit 8 is disposed in a plane normal to the surface of the plate, with the narrow end of the slit remote from the plate so that, with increasing yarn diameter, the path of the yarn is deflected toward the plate. The distance of the normal path of the yarn from the plate is determined by the guide members 46 and 48 and these members are therefore preferably mounted to permit of adjustment of the normal position of the yarn in the slit 8.

The holding means of the device of Figs. 4 and 5 is of the type described in connection with Figs. 1 and 3. It comprises a plate Ell having a rounded edge 62 substantially normal to the base plate 42, and a supporting bracket 64 therefor having an edge 66 adjacent an edge 68 of the plate 60 and defining therewith the slot 12 for catching and holding the yarn. Supporting bracket 64, is secured, as by screws 10 to the frame 42. The plate 68 is mounted on the bracket 64 by means of bolts 12 passing through aligned holes in the plate an and the bracket 64,

the bolt holes in either the plate 69 or bracket 64 being preferably elongated or over sized to permit adjustment of the width of the slot l2. The plate 60, as shown in Fig. 4, is disposed at an angle of about 30 to a plane perpendicular to the plate 42 and passing through the slit 8 of the deflecting means and between the bell washers 56 of the tension device. The plate 60 cuts this plane so that the edge 62, which is substantially parallel to this plane is slightly to one side thereof and is thus insured of engagement by the yarn during passage to the guide means 46-48.

To facilitate threading of the above described device, a pair of rails 14, of round stock or the like, are secured at their ends, as by welding, to the base 42. These rails 14, for the major part of their length, are substantially parallel and relatively closely disposed on opposite sides of the medial plane passing between the washers 50 and through the tapered slit 8, the parallel stretches of the rails being spaced from the base 42 so as .a sleeve 88 carried by the frame 42.

to clear the tension device, deflecting means and yarn holding means. Beyond their parallel stretches, the rails 14 diverge, as shown, and terminate in legs substantially perpendicular to the frame 42.

To avoid accumulation of fly or lint in the slot l2 of the yarn holding device, a clearer blade 82 is provided. The blade is mounted on the end of an arm 84 and extends into the slot l2. Ann 84 is secured at its other end to a collar 85 fixed to a shaft 86. .Shaft 86 is rotatably mounted in Shaft 86 extends through a suitable aperture in the base 42 and carries a collar 89 at its outer end to which is secured an operating arm 80. Arm 99 may be manually operated to cause the blade 82 to reciprocate in the slot 12 for removal of fly or lint, but preferably is connected by suitable linkage (not shown) to the reset or start mechanism of the spooler or other take-up device with which the slub catcher is associated. With such arrangement, the blade .32 is reciprocated to clear the slot l2 after each yarn breakage occasioned by a slub in the yarn.

A pin 9| is mounted on the blade '82 in a position to be engaged by the yarn when, and only when, the yarn rides up in the slot l2. The pin facilitates breakage of the yarn in the slot as it tends abruptly to increase to substantially 90 the angl which the part of the yarn in the slot makes with the slot.

The operation of the device of Figs. 4 and 5,

being the same as that described with reference to Figs. 1 and 3, needs no further description.

After each breakage of the yarn the device is the yarn to its normal path.

As heretofore indicated, the deflecting means of the device is preferably constructed to permit of ready adjustment of the spacing between the parts 4 and 6 so that yarn of different average diameter may be handled. One suitable arrangement for so adjusting the spacing between the parts -4 and 6 is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 to which reference may now be had.

In the construction of the deflecting means shown in Fig. 6, the element 6 is affixed to the casing 56 by screws 94 while the part 4 is mounted for adjustment toward and away from the element 6 by means of a bolt 66 which passes through relatively inclined elongated slots 98 and H39 in the casing 56 and member 4 respectively. One face of the casing is suitably recessed adjacent to the slot 98 for reception of a nut I92 for the bolt 96. With this construction when tension between parts is relieved by turning of the bolt 96 in the nut I02, member 4 may be moved relative to strip 6 by movement of the bolt 96 in the cooperating slots as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Under these conditions, adjustment of the width of the opening 8 and of the taper thereof may be effected by sliding a tapered gauge between the parts 4 and 6 and then moving the part 4 into engagement with the gauge and tightening the bolt to hold the parts against-relative movement after withdrawal w len th; wi e d ems- In he aseof some y. it is preferable fron the a i l i vie e eeeeem e timeie mil Perseus I ne n e min d define the i din 9 e ibe s these s as seen e r ad l remete a t he yarn is weve i te ie i e- .BY the addition of an inertia memberto the holding means, a sluh catcher such that of Figs. 4 fid 5 s be e ily mo ifi d .tenermifi len i the yarnto pass through the device without bei caught. Sueh vm di ed ee s rtl ie .o .i olding memb is shown in Figs. ta dem which en ence ay n w he lzia'd-w he iner ia m ber comprises a" wire I06 which pendulously supported from the shoulder of one of thesup- P s ews 1. e es nde be ond h edge-62 j e platelfifl soas to he engaged .by the yarn l nen f e i n m it H rmel pethi- The w e 1 05 is b ent through two .right-angles at its end, as shown in'Figf 9 to prevent the wire from bouncing away from the plate. 60 and over the yarini" When'the yarn path is deflected, the wire tee is rged by the yarninablqckwlse direet qn.

e view d in Fi 8 when the yarn en ers the J all ws slet, assumes the position shown n dottedlinesi The Wire ms, which'lnaybe piano .viire has a small but definite weight. Hence when he ne h r the rn is eeilee edin the s it 8 of the deflecting means, the deficctionof the yarnipeth. @191 the ed e 52 9 th p te 6!! w Evaiymve seiy with th e mass of the wire 1G6 and di ctlywith the deflecting force and with the si uatc of the time throngh which such force acts. By suitable selection ofthe weight of wire I06 with reference to the rate of yarn travel, the deflection of the yarn along the edge 62- resulting from n ep-s or very short slubs can Joe-kept srh all" enough to avoid catching and consequent;

b eekee a In the particular construction of holdinginemher shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the need for adjustment of the Width of the yarn holding slot is-obiated asis also the need for a separate clearer blade. A sheet I08 of spring metal, is secured, as by rivets Hi! to an arm I [2 piyotall y mounted on the supporting bracket 64a, In the normal position offarm *I I2, one edge 66 of the sheet I08 'y ,ieldingly engages the edge 68 of the plate 60. A coiled s ring H3, one end of which is secured to the armll-Z and the other-end of which is secured to the bracket 64a biases the arm H2 against rotation on its pivot. The pin'Ql for fatciliating breaking of the yarn is-mounted 0n the spring I08. when the yarn path is deflected-upon occurrence of a, slub, the 'yarn engages the sheet I108; rides" up between the edges fi fi' and- 68, engages the'pin 9 las shown in dotted linesinFig'. 9,

andlore aks under the continuing tension of-thep s ze sec ion o the ve b 'th t ver s 'rt len hsete ei' sizeyemeeeh limbalso "thesdeil etins mean and arn holdin means u slii t et h o iesf and. scan ejeqnvenr sh wn in U .7 i vent o th l dbetwee tn ms Mend fi .meuntedenj y ke H8 a d he sl t l armed betwe n ed o the e ment of a th'rd part 12 0 also mounted {3. len ent H4 is preferably .elelyineunteden the y ke I (a soaj to no; of adjustmentof' the dimensions of the-slit modation oi yarns of different average t t e pert il er e od nt of the JQQgillQSil'QWQifl.F g- 10, the ti e of th emine t H.5 2 es xe e U i of "ty 9 Fig.6. t, 12; pa; sthrough angularlydisposed 4 t in the element and -yoke r'esp tivjely, and tl'lreadecl into a suitable" nu-t'-(-'not dinguthe par-tsfin adjusted position. s Ql Jl FU-J e ke H by meene of which pa ses. ees h a d holes in a .a jl the-yoke and is provided with a $111 b'le hut (not shown). Preferably the belt a part till is made over size to permit adtrneiitgof the width of slot l2. Element H6 edly sec red to the yoke I l ll as by screws 1 3 0. Ih elements Hfiand 1241 are so shaped that the slot l- 2 extends from thewider end of the slit 8 and fol-ins an angle of about 150 therewith; The; angular disposition of" the entire fiillllgtlll} \yith rel'ation (to the normal path of travel of; the yarn is a "composite of the .angular dispositions of-the separate-deflectmg and holding means of Fig? 1'. "Elie orientation of'the structure may-he considered as the result of two successive rotations each" of about 60 from a position in which thelfaeeopthe structure is in :a plane perpendicula r to-the yarn path; The first; such rota,- 'ti or'i is about anaxis in such plane and generally perpendicularto the slit :8, the-rotation being a direction to bring the llalflOifI end vof slit '8 toward the source of the yarn. The second roitntionis-about an axis in thefrotated plane and generally parallel to the slits, the d re ti o rotation being clockwise. as viewed trorn theilght of- Fig}; 10. 'iPreferably to permit the yarn 2 to passth oug-h the slit;c8 withou abrupt bending "at the sides of the slit 8, the cooperating edges 1 30 and I 32 of the elernents 1L4 and H6, respecthe faces .of..;the elementsso as to term plane surtaces paralleletothe yarn path.

The :abovemlrgsflibedwompgsit yarn deflecting land holdin'gvmeans. ofil tlg. 19; may be substituted "inthe device ofrFlgs. 46; and; 5-;for the separateidefleeting and holding means of that cons l tlciidn lori'could be-mountedubetween any suitable guide on tensioning means to proyi de a Simp e and et- :ficient slub'catchen; The oper at-ion of the device essentially the sa e. ellieed de c bed. L connectioniwithyfii-gs .1 3., 4; nd-, 5 The yar fn moiieszback and-:fptthin hetaperedslit '8 in aceo dame .withieli nses. iamete When th I deflection-03m ?"WlZinila I uehe ne the l fi'ln to themeuthef-slottlil theyem r des up v m wmch define-the slit 8, new? tee e ite into that slot and is held therein. If desired a clearer blade like the blade 82 of Figs. 4 and could be provided for the slot I2 of the composite structure of Fig. 1 0, as indicated at I34, and any suitable means could be provided, either auto I matically or manually operated, for reciprocation of the blade in the slot.

In Fig. 11, to which reference may now be had,

the invention is illustrated in a slub catcher essentially like that of Figs. 4 and 5 but of a somewhat different construction. The device of Fig. 11 includes an open framework I36 having two cross pieces I31 and I38 which may be formed integrally therewith and which provide support for the tensioning, deflecting, and yarn holding mem- A bracket I4I, comprising a strip bent into the form of a truncated isosceles triangle of relatively short base and welded at its ends, is mounted on the cross piece I38 of the frame by means of screw bolts I4I' which pass through holes in the cross piece and thread into the leg I 4Ia of the bracket corresponding to the base of the triangle. The casing 56 enclosing the strips 4 and 6 of the deflecting means is secured to a leg I4Ib of the bracket I4'I so as to position the slit 8 at an acute-angle to the path of the yarn 2. The yarn holding means comprises a plate I42, under the I forward edge of which the yarn 2 normally rides,

and a support member I43 to which the plate I42 is secured, as by screws I44. Member I43 is welded, or otherwise fixedly secured to the legs I4Ia and I4Ib of the bracket MI and has an edge I43 which, together with the adjacent edge of plate I42 defines the yarn holding slot I2. ally mounted on the support I43 below the plate Pivot- I42 is a bell crank lever I45, one arm of which carries a clearer blade I45 which extends into I the slot I2 and the other arm of which extends below the frame I36 for convenient connection to the reset mechanism of the winder or spooler with which the slub catcher is to be used. Preferably, spring means, not visible in the view shown in Fig. 11, is provided forbiasing the blade toward the rear of the slot I2.

Mounted on the crosspiece I3'I in advance of the deflecting means, is a tension device comprising conventional bell washers I46 concentrically mounted on a post I41 and biased into engage- .'ment by a weighted disk I48. A guide rail I49 extending upwardly from the forward corner of the frame I36 adjacent the guide eyelet of the guide I39, then sloping downwardly across the frame, rearwardly above one side of the frame for the length thereof and then transversely of the frame in the rear of the guide I48, facilitates the threading of the device by guiding the yarn to its normal path through the tension device and slit 6 of the deflecting means and under the for ward edge of the plate I42 of the holding device.

In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 11, the strip 4 of the deflecting j means is biased toward the fixed strip 6 by means of a spring member I58 within the casing 56.

I yarn diameter meter and recorder. bodiment of the invention a, feeler I'5I, engaging the yarn '2 adjacent the slit 8, is secured to a pivotally mounted pen I 52 so as to cause the pen to be moved about its pivot I52 in accordance with the deflection of the yarn path. Thepen I52 is positioned over a sheet I53 which is continuously moved under the pen as by rotation of a take-up drum I54. Preferably, as shown, the feeler I5I is connected to the pen I52 adjacent the pivot I52 in order to obtain an amplified record of the yarn path deflection.

The record traced by the pen, indicated by the line I55, is thus a record of yarn diameter variations. By the provision of a suitably calibrated scale transversely of the sheet (not shown) .the magnitudes of the diameter variations may be determined and by provision of a suitable scale longitudinally of the sheet (not shown) the length of yarn of any particular diameter variation may be determined for any particular rate of travel of the yarn and of the sheet.

The invention has now been described with reference to various embodiments thereof. In each embodiment of the invention the path of travel of filamentary material is deflected in accordance with variations in the diameter of the material, and such deflections are utilized to signify diameter changes. In each embodiment of the invention, the deflecting means is a fixed element so formed and so positioned relative to. the flow path of the material as to utilize the tension in the moving material to create a component of force normal to the fiow path. In each embodiment of the invention, means are provided for si nifying deflections of the yarn path, either all deflections as in the meter of Fig. 12, or excessive deflections only, as in the slub catchers of the invention. Alternative signifying means for use in slub catchers having the fixed deflecting means of the invention have been described.

The following is claimed:

1. A device for detecting slubs in filamentary material comprising in combination fixed means positioned in the path of travel of the material and adapted to cause deflections of the path'of the material upon occurrence of slubs therein, the magnitudes of the deflections varying in accordance with the diameter of the slubs, and means associated with said fixed means forarresting the travel'of the material upon a predetermined deflection of its path, said first mentioned means comprising a member providing a tapered slit for passage of material there- ;through, said member being so positioned relative to the path of the material that the slit is inclined at an acute angle to the path and increases in width in the general direction of travel of the material and said last mentioned means comprising a member having a smooth straight edge positioned transverse to the path of the material for passage of material thereover and a slot in said edge positioned for entrance of material therein upon the predetermined deflection of the i 1 gpath, ;;said"last'mentioned member being 'so'= positi-oned as to presentsai'dedge to material passing '"t'hrough"the'taperedslit.

slubbatcherior yarn comprising incombination means fixedly" positioned in thepath of travelof the yarn and adapted to cause -"deflec "Jtiongof the path" of the yarn upon occurrence of 'a' "slub therein, and yarn arresting means associated with saiddeflecting means comprising memb'ers ThaVl'IIg' two straight edges meeting substan- "tially 5perpendicular1y, one of said -=edges being rounded andpositioned transverse to the path of flow ofthe yarnfor passage of the yarn'thereover, -and"a'"cooperating member resiliently -enigagingthe other of said edges for receptionand ;:arrest of'yarn therebetween when said deflecting "means deflects the gpa'th of "the yarn along said rounded edge andto the extremity thereof.

23. "The slub catcher according'to claim 2 inclndingmeans for moving'saidcooperating mem- "ber "along the edge of the other 'member 'engaged -thereby,-wherebythe device may be cleared of lint or the like after'arrestofyarn.

4."Ihe's1nbcatcher according *to claim2 including an element positioned to *be engaged by the ;part of the yarn "beyond the "resiliently 1 en- 'gaged edge ofthefirst'mentioned member when the "yarn is between said edge and-the co operatingmember for facilitating arrest of the yarnby "abruptly increasing to substantially 90 the angle iatwhichthe yarn passes' said resiliently engaged edge of the-firstmentioned member.

5. ,A device for detecting "slubs in travelling filamentary material comprising a pair of elerments having cooperating-edges defining there- "between atapered-slit angularly disposed "across the path oftravel of -the material, theminimum width of the -;slit corresponding to the average diameter of thematerialso-as to'cause'the path of the*travellingmaterial to be deflected-in accordance with: increase in diameter of" the material, :means responsiveto a predetermineddeflec- "tion 'of the -path f the "material, corresponding to'a, 'slub of predetermined. minimum diameter in the materiaL-for"signifying'the "presence of the ,sliibs, said.1ast mentioned means comprising a memberhavingaslot normally out of thepath of travel 'of the material and "positioned for entry of the material therein wherrthe 'de'fiection o'f the math is of the predetermined value, said "'slotbe- 'ing "shaped and dimensioned to arrest the travel of material entering "therein and an inertia member associated with' sai'd slotted-member for preventing arrest of "material when the duration of the force tending to deflect the path of the material is less than a predetermined value whereby the device discriminates between slubs "of-different lengths.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein said inertia member comprises a pendulously supported element having-a part interposed between the normal path of the material and said slot for movement by the material upon deflection of its path.

7. A slub catcher for yarn comprising a frame, yarn "guide means mounted on said frame for passage 'of yarn "therebetween, a member'having an elongated tapered slit therein, "said member being *mounted on said frame betweensaid guide means with the slit increasing in width in a direction making an acuteangle with the direction of travel of the yarn, means for arresting the travel" of the yarn when the yarn is "deflected a I predetermined distance toward the'wider end of the slit,- said member comprising two parts de fining the tapered slit, and "the "frame an'd'one of said parts being-provided with cooperating angularly disposed slots "and means extending through said angularly disposed slots for aid-- -justably securing said 'partto the'frame whereby being -mounted'on said fI'a'mWDEtWEEnSHid guide "means-withthe slit increasing -'in*width in adirection making an acute angle with the direction of travel of the yarn, means forarres'tin'g 'the travel of theyarn when the-yarnis deflected a predetermined distance toward the wider en'd' of the slit, said last-mentioned means comprising amember having-a slot positioned-for entry-of the yarn therein upon the predetermined d'fiection or the path, 'saidslot extendin'g in the gen- 'eral "direction *of travel of theyarn, "andmeans for "preventing accumulation of lint orthe like in saidslot.

9. -A device 'o f the character 'describedcomprising a structure for insertion in-the' path'of travel of filamentary material, said structure having an elongated "tapered slit therein for passage of'the filamentary material --the1*ethrough and for "de- 'i'lection of the path thereof withincreasein diameter-"and a slot for holding thematerial, said slot being angularly 'disposed'w'ith respect to said slit "and communicating therewith at the wider end thereof, the-"orientationof said structure relative "to *the direction of travel of the material corresponding to "the result of two -successive roitations, "each-10f about"ffrom an initial position wherein-the imaginary plane defined by said tapered slit andsa'id slot is perpendicular to the "direction of travel of the material, the 'first of said rotations being about'anaXis in- -saidy lane substantially perpendicular to the tapered slit and "the'second'of said rotationsbeing about an axis in'the rotated gpl-anesubstantially parallel to one edge of'said t-apered 'slit, the direction'of said rotations being such that in the final position the slit increases in width in-a direction making 'an'angle of about-30 with the direction-of travel of the travelling material and the material holding'sl'ot extends from 'the 'tapered ='slit a "direction generally parallel to the normal "path "of travel 'of the material.

10. 'Thedevice according to claim-9 wherein said "structure comprises -'at' leasttwo parts, the "spacing between which "defines "the tapered *slit,

and wherein 'means are provided for adjusting 'said "spacing to'varythe dimensions of said'tapered slit.

' ROBERT M. "BRINK.

REFERENCES 11 CITED The Jfollowing references are of record in the .file or this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name "Date 817,937 Taylor :Aug. 1 1, 1931 1,826,584 Vilt Oct. :6, 1931 2 ,434509l Artington "Mun--- Jan. 6, .1948 

